2002 Ford Escape Engine Problems

I have had to replace my engine/transmission several times and the problem keeps repeating itself. The engine will just die for no reason which is an extremely severe safety risk.

NHTSA ID

11608125

Incident

Aug 12, 2024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE FUSE BOX. THE CONTACT CALLED FRIENDLY FORD (2800 N TELEGRAPH RD, MONROE, MI 48162, (734) 243-6000) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,002.

NHTSA ID

11395756

Incident

Jan 23, 2021

Mileage

195,002 mi

THE MOUNTS THAT THE ENGINE SITS ON RUSTED AWAY, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP ONTO THE STEERING SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11230636

Incident

Jun 19, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY LOCK UP AND WHEN I START IT AND TRY TO MOVE IT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK. AND WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF MY VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN RESTART IT MY VEHICLE WON'T EVEM ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER OR START BUT MY ELECTRICAL WILL STILL WORK JUST FINE

NHTSA ID

11202768

Incident

Mar 20, 2019

Mileage

134,000 mi

AS SHOWN IN ATTACHED PICTURE MY COOLANT CONTAINER IS BURNING AS IF IT IS TRYING TO CATCH FIRE. AS ALSO SEEN THE COOLANT LEVEL IS BACK AT MAX BUT AT ONE POINT WAS LOW. CONCERN IS 🔥 SAFETY. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I FIRST SMELT BURNING I DID STOP DRIVING AND IT MADE IT MORE INTENSE. NO ACTUAL FIRE TOOK PLACE BUT INSIDE CONTAINER IT APPEARS TO HAVE HAD A SMALL FIRE OR BURN AS SHOWN BY IMAGE.

NHTSA ID

11180005

Incident

Feb 13, 2019

Mileage

176,211 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HER DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS, BUT WAS NOT TOWED FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (LITHIA FORD OF MISSOULA, 3943 BROOKS ST, MISSOULA, MT 59804) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. .*BF *TR

NHTSA ID

11102440

Incident

Jun 17, 2018

Mileage

145,000 mi

FORD EXCURSION V10 ALUMINUM HEAD COMPLAINT SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY TO VISIT MY SON, NO WARNING JUST BLEW COMPLETELY OUT OF HEAD AND LEFT ME STRANDED ALONG THE ROADSIDE. THIS PROBLEM WHICH FORD IS AWARE IS NOT BEING FIXED OR RECALLED, TRUCK JUST TURNED 100,000 MILES BUT IF ONE SPARK PLUG BLEW WHEN WILL THE OTHERS LET GO AND EXPLODED OUT OF THE HEAD AND LEAVE ME STRANDED AGAIN ALONG A BUSY HIGHWAY ROUTE 70 IN A STATE WHICH I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN BEFORE AT 5 AM IN THE MORNING, WITHOUT A KNEW HEAD DESIGN THIS MAKES THIS VEHICLE VERY UNRELIABLE AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE , ITS LIKE DRIVING A TIME BOMB JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT PLUG TO BLOW, VEHICLE WAS 40,000 DOLLARS IN 2002 WHO HAS MONEY TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH IS NOW ALMOST 60,000 FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE REPLACEMENT HEADS FOR ALL TRITON ENGINES

NHTSA ID

11098733

Incident

May 12, 2018

Mileage

104,000 mi

BOUGHT THIS CAR AND 2 MILES DOWN ROAD CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND THE BRAKE AS WELL AS THE OVER DRIVE (ONLY ONE FLASHING) CAME ON. THE CAR GEAR SHIFT LEVER POPS OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS A NEW TRANNY. THE VEHICLE STALLS, AND IS BLOWING TRANNY FLUID. IT HAS HAD THE COMPUTE REPLACEE ON A RECALL. EVERY ISSUE I HAVE FOUND RELATES TO RECALLS, YET FORE TOLD ME NOPE ZERO RECALLS ON THIS EVEN AFTER I SHOWED HIM PROOF OF A RECALL ON THE ENGINE ITSELF. SO RECALLS; 07V156000, 15V606000, 12V005000, AND 04V165000 SOMEHOW DO NOT APPLY? SO I HAVE TO CRASH BEFORE FORD WILLL EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR. IT POPS OUT OF GEAR! CLEARLY AN ABS MALFUNCTION OR NOT? ALL HAZARDS.

NHTSA ID

11090818

Incident

Apr 9, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR EXHAUST REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND THE LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE FRAME WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBURBAN FORD OF STERLING HEIGHTS AT (586) 268-7500 (40333 VAN DYKE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11083592

Incident

Apr 4, 2018

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (BLACKWELL FORD, 41001 PLYMOUTH RD, PLYMOUTH, MI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS FRAME, LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND EXHAUST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,000.

NHTSA ID

11065850

Incident

Jan 27, 2018

Mileage

185,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FIRE THAT ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID

11063216

Incident

Jan 14, 2018

WHEN I RUN MY AC OR HEATER EXHAUST COMES IN CANT USE EITHER NOT SURE WHATS GOING ON WITH CAR BUT I DO KNOW THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED PRIOR TO ME OWNING THE VEHICLE IN 2015 OF AUGUST AND DO KNOW THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. CURRENTLY MY CAR HAS 10 RECALLS AND CANT GET MY CAR FIXED BY FORD

NHTSA ID

11023522

Incident

May 22, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER WERE ACTIVATED, THE AMOUNT OF EXHAUST FUMES INCREASED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

NHTSA ID

10954777

Incident

Feb 3, 2017

Mileage

250,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSESSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DAMAGED THE GARAGE AND THE SIDEWALK CONCRETE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AS A POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 04/12/17LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10945610

Incident

Jan 13, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi

MY VEHICLE DOES THE EXACT SAME THING AS NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 04V165000 OR FORD RECALL NO. 04S13. I HAVE THE YEAR AND ENGINE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL BUT MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST. IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ID

10908812

Incident

Jun 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ID

10899751

Incident

Aug 30, 2016

Mileage

102,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SPEED CONTROL) AND THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES UNTIL AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE'S THROTTLE LOCKS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE ACCELERATION PEDAL LOCKS IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE'S GEAR WAS MOVED TO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANOTHER REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

NHTSA ID

10892040

Incident

Oct 2, 2012

Mileage

214,000 mi

LOST ALL COOLANT FROM RADIATOR ALL AT ONCE WHEN TURNED CAR OFF WHEN CAME HOME FROM STORE BECAUSE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON.. REPLACED THERMOSTAT FIRST. THAT DIDN'T WORK. PUT IN NEW WATER PUMP, RAN FOR ABOUT ANOTHER WEEK , THAN DID SAME THING. SO REPLACED RADIATOR . MIND YOU CAR NEVER RAN HOT, COOLANT LIGHT JUST KEPT COMING ON.

NHTSA ID

10876417

Incident

Apr 7, 2016

Mileage

143,000 mi

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER, COST ME $455 IN REPAIRS. V6 3.0L 2002 FORD ESCAPE.

NHTSA ID

10864198

Incident

May 10, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND WAITING FOR A TRAIN TO CROSS THE TRACKS, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE BACK IN GEAR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER HAD DISENGAGED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD NEED TO BE BOLTED BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V606000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID

10809630

Incident

Oct 9, 2015

Mileage

132,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE IN FEB. 2015. SINCE THEN OFTEN WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK IT REVS, THE RPMS RANGE FROM 1500-3000. I READ THAT A RECALL WAS DECLARED IN DECEMBER OF 2004. MY CAR IDLES AT A HIGH RANGE.

NHTSA ID

10790058

Incident

Feb 4, 2015

Mileage

116,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DETAILS OF THE FIRE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), AND 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE IN THE FRONT. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON A SECOND OCCASION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO CUT THE HOOD OPEN AND INSPECTED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,703.

NHTSA ID

10783466

Incident

Oct 10, 2015

Mileage

151,703 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN

NHTSA ID

10721459

Incident

Mar 19, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE ABS AND THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE OVER HEAD LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE ALSO INDEPENDENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,337.

NHTSA ID

10701073

Incident

Feb 25, 2015

Mileage

132,337 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10681195

Incident

Jan 4, 2015